Bakersfield police are seeking video footage from attendees of a Halloween party where a 16-year-old high school football player was fatally shot. William Aviles was found with severe injuries on Saturday around 3:35 a.m. at a residence on S Half Moon Drive, according to the Bakersfield Police Department. He was transported to a hospital where he later died.
Aviles was a notable player for North High School, playing as both a tight end and defensive lineman. The school's football team posted a statement on Instagram mourning his loss, stating, "His life, memory, and impact will never be forgotten."
A GoFundMe page established in Aviles' memory described him as having a "bigger-than-life, magnetic personality" and a "wisdom and maturity that went far beyond his 16 years." The fundraiser has raised over $8,100 towards its $14,000 goal.
Police stated that numerous bystanders witnessed and recorded the incident and urged the public to submit any video evidence through a dedicated online portal. Detectives are asking anyone with further information to contact Detective Matthew Guerra or the Bakersfield Police Department.
The suspect in the shooting has not yet been identified. This incident follows another fatal shooting in Bakersfield in late August, where a 17-year-old quarterback was killed at a high school football game. In that case, a 15-year-old male suspect was arrested, and police determined the shooting was not random.